Getty Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts
After the Baltimore Ravens’ bittersweet win over the Houston Texans, Ravens fans immediately took to social media to pound the table, calling for Baltimore to trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor to replace the injured J.K. Dobbins.
“2nd round pick for Jonathan Taylor (with an extension). Let’s get the deal done,” wrote one fan on X, tagging Colts owner Jim Irsay.
“Wonder if Jonathan Taylor to the #Ravens makes sense? Wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up there,” former NFL and USFL quarterback Kyle Sloter posted.
Wonder if Jonathan Taylor to the #Ravens makes sense? Wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up there.
“Jonathan Taylor you are a Raven,” one fan posted on X.
Taylor, 24, who is on the Physical Unable to Perform list with an ankle injury, had requested a trade from the Colts after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. According to an August story by the Associated Press, the Colts have given Taylor, who is under contract through the 2023 season, permission to find a trade partner.
Jonathan Taylor Trade Talks Expected to Resume
With the season-ending Achilles injury to Dobbins, there is speculation that trade talks involving Taylor would presumably resume soon.
After the Ravens’ win over the Texans, Jeremy Brewer of Sports Illustrated’s Ravens Country asked whether Baltimore “could go for an upgrade” over Dobbins’ backups, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, who combined for 41 yards on 16 carries but also two touchdowns.
Brener noted that though Taylor would a “significant upgrade,” there would be a downside to trading for him.
“For a Ravens team that is looking to reinvent the offense and contend for a Super Bowl, adding Taylor may not be all that worth it His placement on the PUP List means he can’t even play until Week 5, so the Ravens will need a more immediate replacement,” he wrote.
Still, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport predicted an uptick in trade talk regarding Taylor while he languishes on the PUP list.
“After that? The list of potential options and scenarios is lengthy. And as sources explained, all options are now on the table,” Rapoport wrote on the morning of September 10, before the Week 1 slate of games began. “Sources say Taylor is healthy and likely would be able to pass a physical today if one was required. That indicates he would be able to come off the PUP list as soon as is allowed.”
Ravens to Use Running Back by Committee
A day after the injury to Dobbins, the Ravens indicated that they would not look outside the organization to fill the void left by Dobbins’ absence.
“I pretty much consider all the guys starters, really, just being truthful about it,” head coach John Harbaugh said, according to a September 11 ESPN story. “They all have to be able to play that well. They’re on the team for a reason — it’s because they’re good enough to do it, and all those backs are going to play quite a bit.”
The Ravens also elevated Melvin Gordon, a former two-time Pro Bowl running back, from the practice squad to join Edwards and Hill in a running-back-by-committee situation.
Gordon, 30, hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2021 with the Denver Broncos. Edwards and Hill have never been full-time starters, and Hill, who turns 26, in November has yet to start an NFL game.
The Ravens host Taylor’s Colts on September 24.